Store's 24/7 alcohol sales plan REFUSED amid ASB fears

• Police concerns about antisocial behaviour have scuppered a Watford store’s bid to open around the clock and sell alcohol 24/7.

Today in Hertfordshire

Conditions in your area this morning.

The local news that matters this morning

Here's the local news from the past 24 hours, made easy to digest.

Hemel Today · Families · 2 days ago Hertfordshire schools set to benefit from £900,000 project to change food culture • The progress of a £900,000 scheme designed to change food culture in dozens of Hertfordshire schools has been highlighted to county councillors.

Herts Advertiser - things to do · Events · 3 days ago New over-65s country-living residence to launch near St Albans with £1,000 grant • The Oakleigh is launching its new country-living residence for over-65s near St Albans.

Hemel Today · Families · yesterday Ware Town Council partners with Jay Rosa for sold-out football skills event • Ware Town Council partnered with professional football freestyler Jay Rosa for a sold-out football skills event during the school holidays, bringing an exciting mix of football, freestyle and entertainment to young people across Hertfordshire.

Watford Observer - News (Newsquest) · Travel · yesterday Bushey teacher told undercover officer he 'abused a school pupil' • Former Bushey Meads teacher Matthew O'Kelly claimed he abused a pupil while discussing plans to rape a 10-year-old girl with an undercover officer. • Police say no evidence was found.

The Comet - News (Newsquest) · Local news · yesterday Søstrene Grene set to open new store in Hitchin • The Comet - News (Newsquest) has a local news update for Hertfordshire: "Søstrene Grene set to open new store in Hitchin". • Check the source link for the full record, timing and any resident action needed.

Herts Advertiser · Local news · yesterday Owner of Herts dog daycare accused of breaching Animal Welfare Act • The owner of a dog daycare centre in Kings Langley will appear in court having been accused of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

BBC News - Beds, Herts & Bucks (regional) · Local news · yesterday Ex-Exeter, Palace and Watford keeper Miller dies • Former Exeter City, Crystal Palace, Barnsley and Watford goalkeeper Kevin Miller dies aged 57.

The Comet - News (Newsquest) · Local news · yesterday Police release image after man seen 'masturbating' on train • Police have released a CCTV image after a man was reported masturbating on a train in the Stevenage area.

Welwyn Hatfield Times · Local news · yesterday Dangerous van seized on Herts M25 found loaded with energy drinks • A van has been seized on the M25 in Hertfordshire after being found with a "monster load" of energy drinks.

Welwyn Hatfield Times · Local news · today Hertfordshire farmers offered £2,000 grants in RABI drought support • Farmers in Hertfordshire are being offered fresh emergency support.

St Albans Times · Local news · 2 days ago HATCH and Smallford Farm Shop could be forced to close • Two of St Albans’ much-loved businesses are at risk of closure after being landed with massive backdated rates bills. • Both Smallford Farm Shop and the HATCH restaurant which shares the site are likely to cease trading next year unless something drastically changes, and their fight for survival has now been.

St Albans Times · Local news · 2 days ago EYES on dopamine dressing… for your face! • There was a time when choosing glasses meant asking one simple question: “Do they make me look sensible?” Thankfully, those days seem to be disappearing. • Instead, people are asking a much more interesting question: “Do these make me happy?” It’s part of a growing fashion movement known as dopamine dressing.

What's on: next 14 days

A quick-view of 50 priority public listings from 50 tracked events over the next 14 days. Tap any item for the source and full details.

23 Sep · The Wash, SG14 1PS Hertford, United KingdomAlice Doesn't Live Here Anymore (15)- part of Scorsese Season

23 Sep · 39 Fore Street, SG14 1AL Hertford, United KingdomBattle of the Bands - Heat 3 | Hertford Corn Exchange

30 Sep · 39 Fore Street, SG14 1AL Hertford, United KingdomBattle of the Bands - Heat 4 | Hertford Corn Exchange

25 Sep · The Mill House HertfordBeers & Braids

27 Sep · Corn Exchange - HertfordBlackmore's Blood | Corn Exchange, Hertford

25 Sep · Hertford Corn ExchangeChina Crisis - Hertford

19 Sep · 39 Fore Street, SG14 1AL Hertford, United KingdomEmo Night ft. Kerrank! | Corn Exchange, Hertfordd

26–27 Sep · Sele Community HubFabric Sale Pop-Up & Stash Swap - 26th - 27th September

27 Sep · Courtyard Arts CentreFree Custom Block carving and printing workshop

26 Sep at 22:00 · Dog WhistleGarage Nation Hertfort

26 Sep at 22:00 · Dog WhistleGarage Nation Summer Closing Party

19 Sep · Hertford Corn ExchangeKERRANK! Live & Loud in Hertford

24 Sep · Hertford Corn ExchangeMartin Turner ex Wishbone Ash - Hertford

26 Sep at 19:30 · Hertford St Andrew's ChurchMEGSON live HERTFORD

20 Sep · PANSHANGER PARKNature Explorers at Panshanger Park

20 Sep · Corn Exchange - HertfordOutlaws and Sinners - Line Dancing Night | Corn Exchange, Hertford

20 Sep · Panshanger ParkPanshanger Park Walkies Ready Club

19 Sep · Dog And Whistle, HertfordRNB MANIA | Hertford's R&B Festival

23 Sep · White Hart - HertfordSingles Night in Hertford | Speed Dating Alternative

26 Sep · Corn Exchange - HertfordSpace | Hertford Corn Exchange

18 Sep · Hertford Corn ExchangeThe Blockheads in East Hertfordshire

25 Sep · BEAM HertfordThe Comedy Store - Hertford

18 SepLive Music - Mario

22 Sep · Sala Thai KitchenChocolate Workshop - An Introduction to the Art of Chocolate-Making

26 Sep · Greenwood Park Community CentreGreenwood Park Freestyle on Saturday 26 September

23 Sep · St AlbansGuilt Free Boundaries - Free Online Masterclass

27 Sep · The HornJohn Hackett Band with special guest Dikajee (solo) | The Horn, St Albans

26 Sep · St Albans Beer & Cider FestivalMRC St Albans #134 x St Albans Beer Festival

26 Sep · Greenwood URC - 149 Watford Rd, St Albans AL2 3HGRepair Fair at St Albans Greenwood URC

26 Sep · Villa 2 Lounge BarRnBoujee

27 Sep · Three HammersSpeed Dating in St Albans Ages 40-59ish

24 Sep at 17:30 · Samuel Ryder AcademySRA Secondary Transfer Open Evening 2026 - Headteacher's Talk: 5.30pm

30 Sep · Highfield Park TrustThe Quiet Place - September Equinox - 30th September

29 Sep · WaterstonesThreshing Day Celebration! - St Albans

19 Sep · WD18 9QDActive2gether - Holywell Multisport Sessions

19 Sep · Hotel ChocolatAutumn Chocolate Tasting Experience - Watford

26 Sep · RevealBack To The 80s And 90s

20 Sep · The Parade, Watford, United KingdomClassic Wheels on The Parade

26 Sep · Warner Bros. Studio Tour LondonCoach Trip to the Harry Potter Studio Tour

27 Sep · Watford ColosseumDON BROCO, unpeople, Ando San in Watford

18 Sep · Fullerlife Health & Fitness CentreFREE BASKETBALL SESSION: FRIDAY: INTERMEDIATE: 8.00-9.00pm @WGGS

26 Sep · Dunnings 2Motown Day Party: Watford

19–20 Sep · South Oxhey Leisure Centre (Watford, UK)Sensei Hitoshi Kasuya London Seminar 2026

27 Sep · Watford Leisure Centre Woodside (Watford)The Big Herts Antique & Vintage Fair

20 Sep · Stanborough Park, WD25 9JL Watford, United KingdomWatford Festival of Praise

26 Sep at 02:30(Devi Ridi Rayak)

26 SepWATFORD COLOSSEUM Discos for Grown ups 70s 80s 90s DISCO PARTY

21 Sep at 21:00Watford Palace Theatre Open Mic

30 Sep–4 Oct at 18:00Hatfield House Real Tennis Open Days

18 Sep–31 Oct18th September - 31st October 2026 Paul Davey

Resident pulse

One weekly reader question. Choose one option; responses guide what we follow up next.

Three Hertfordshire Amazon finds

Rotating area-related book, map, gift and local-interest searches.

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Did you know? · Hertfordshire

Roman Verulamium, on the edge of modern St Albans, was the second-largest town in Roman Britain after Londinium.

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